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Dominican Republic - Gateway to Tropical Birding & Wildlife

© Broad-billed Tody by Dušan Brinkhuizen
Dominican Republic - Gateway to Tropical Birding & Wildlife 2027

18 Oct 2027 - 25 Oct 2027 (8 days)

USD6,100 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Robert Wilcox

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Tour Leader: Tyler Davis

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Tour Price (Per person): USD6,100 (CAD8,720 * GBP4,671 * EUR5,393)

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change* Optional Miami Gateway Start Package available on this tour. Please contact our team if you would like to add this option to your booking.

The Dominican Republic offers one of the most rewarding and visually exciting introductions to Caribbean birding anywhere in the region. Beyond the country’s famous beaches and tropical coastline lies a remarkably diverse landscape of pine-clad mountains, lush broadleaf forests, scenic valleys, coastal wetlands and dry Caribbean scrub, all supporting an exceptional variety of endemic birdlife together with a fascinating diversity of reptiles, butterflies and other Caribbean wildlife found nowhere else on Earth.

Our Rockjumper Gateway Tour has been specially designed to introduce travellers to the birds, wildlife and spectacular natural beauty of Hispaniola in a comfortable and enjoyable way. Exploring a variety of accessible habitats ranging from cool mountain forests to coastal lagoons and Caribbean dry forest, we can expect a wonderful selection of colourful and charismatic island specialties together with spectacular scenery and a warm Caribbean atmosphere throughout the journey.

Among the many highlights are the bizarre and beautiful Broad-billed and Narrow-billed Todies, the striking Hispaniolan Trogon, noisy Palmchat, colourful Hispaniolan Spindalis, Hispaniolan Woodpecker and the elegant Golden Swallow. We will also search for Hispaniolan Amazon, Antillean Piculet, Rufous-throated Solitaire, Green-tailed Warbler, White-necked Crow and numerous other Caribbean specialties while enjoying some of the island’s most scenic mountain and coastal landscapes.

In addition to the excellent birding, the Dominican Republic offers welcoming hospitality, fascinating Caribbean culture, a deep passion for baseball and beautiful tropical scenery throughout. Comfortable accommodations, manageable travel days and generally accessible birding conditions make this tour an ideal introduction to Caribbean birding travel.

Top Birds

Hispaniolan Trogon; Broad-billed Tody; Narrow-billed Tody; Palmchat; Hispaniolan Spindalis; Hispaniolan Woodpecker; Golden Swallow; Hispaniolan Amazon; Antillean Piculet; Rufous-throated Solitaire; Green-tailed Warbler; White-necked Crow; Hispaniolan Emerald; Hispaniolan Euphonia; Hispaniolan Lizard Cuckoo; Antillean Mango; Black-crowned Palm Tanager; Greater Antillean Bullfinch; American Flamingo; Ashy-faced Owl.

Habitats Covered

Caribbean pine forest; Cloud forest; Montane rainforest; Dry forest & scrub; Highland valleys; Coastal wetlands; Forest edge habitats.

Expected Climate

Warm tropical conditions are experienced throughout much of the tour, particularly in coastal and lowland areas. Cooler and more comfortable temperatures are typically encountered in the central highlands around Jarabacoa. Occasional rain showers and humidity may be experienced.

Max Group Size

5 - 6 with 1 Rockjumper leader, 7 - 12 with 2 Rockjumper leaders

Tour Pace & Walking

UNDEMANDING: This tour is ideal for birders and wildlife enthusiasts of all experience levels. It’s suitable for most mobility levels and offers a relaxed pace, ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Designed specifically for first-time international birders and travellers. Moderate travel days, comfortable accommodations and limited strenuous activity throughout. Some early starts are required for the best birding opportunities. Gateway Tours are intentionally designed around comfort, atmosphere and enjoyable birding experiences rather than long species lists or physically demanding schedules. These tours provide an ideal introduction to tropical birding travel while still offering exciting wildlife encounters and memorable birding throughout. These tours are not suitable for guests seeking demanding, fast-paced, highly target-driven birding experiences or intensive photography-focused itineraries.

Accommodation

Comfortable tourist lodges and hotels with private bathrooms, reliable amenities and convenient access to birding areas.

Ease of Birding

Easy to moderate. Birding is conducted at an enjoyable pace with a strong emphasis on visually rewarding Caribbean endemics and scenic birding experiences rather than difficult or highly technical bir

Other Attractions

Caribbean mountain scenery; Endemic wildlife; Excellent photography; Comfortable eco-lodges; Tropical forests & waterfalls; Caribbean culture & cuisine; Relaxed pace & easy birding.

Photographic Opportunities

Excellent. Many birds are seen well, and several locations offer excellent photography opportunities in attractive natural settings.

What our clients say about us

Robert Wilcox
JM, Dominican Republic 2022

We had an excellent time on this tour. Even though I did not see every endemic, it fully met my hopes for the number of birds that I could reasonably expect. The rainy weather impacted our birding at times, but the leaders made some good decisions to adjust our plans in response and to maximize our chances of getting the birds. We really enjoyed birding with Bobby Wilcox. This may have been his first visit to the DR, but he was well prepared, has excellent field skills, a good sense of humor, worked hard to get us on the birds, and shared his knowledge and enthusiasm in general.

Robert Williams
PM, Dominican Republic 2018

Rob Williams and Caesar were excellent, and so was the birding and group dynamics.

Lev Frid
NP, Dominican Republic 2021

Lev Frid was outstanding. He is knowledgeable, capable, hard working, friendly, easy going and a super human being. I had a blast with him and can’t find enough positive adjectives to describe him.

Lev Frid
PO, Dominican Republic 2021

This was a very nice tour. Lev was very knowledgeable and friendly. Accommodations were good also. Overall a great trip and I would not hesitate to do another tour with Rockjumper as this was my fourth with them.

Forrest Rowland
JH, Dominican Republic 2020

"The birds cooperated, but Forrest and everyone on the tour worked hard and remarkably all participants on the tour were able to record every endemic species, mostly seen very well. The large bus provided plenty of room and the Wifi on the bus was another surprise!"

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Route Map

Tour Route Map